1995 Hall of Fame Game

Multi-home run games from Chicago’s Scott Bullett and Howard Johnson propelled the Cubs to an 8-6 victory over the Detroit Tigers in the 49th Hall of Fame Game on July 31, 1995, at Doubleday Field.

Bullett went 4-for-5 with five RBI and three runs scored.

It was Johnson, however, that started the scoring for the Cubs, hitting his first homer of the day, a two-run shot, in the bottom of the first inning.

Neither team scored again until the bottom of the fourth when Chicago picked up another run, but Detroit responded with a five-run top of the sixth inning to take the lead.

The Tigers’ big inning included a two-run home run from Juan Samuel, an RBI single from Bobby Higginson and a two-run double from Chris Gomez.

Bullett made a leaping catch, however, to end Detroit’s rally, and then hit a three-run home run in the bottom half of the inning to put his team up for good.

Bullett and Johnson capped Chicago’s scoring in the bottom of the eighth inning with back-to-back solo home runs.

Detroit picked up a run in the top of the ninth, but could not rally for more as the Cubs closed out the game.

Johnson had three hits and three RBI for the Cubs, and teammates Ozzie Timmons and José Hernández each recorded multiple hits.

Four Tigers pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts, but all allowed at least one run.

Ben Burlingame allowed all five of Detroit’s runs in the sixth inning, but earned the win for the Cubs when Bullett hit his three-run home run in the sixth.

It was the 18th win for the National League in the Hall of Fame Game series, with the American League totaling 27 wins. Four games ended in ties.